Results and news from the golf clubs
Following on the great performance of Ian Lynch in winning the North of Ireland championship recently, Paul Murphy put up a great performance in the South of Ireland in Lahinch last week. Having qualified with a 73, Paul swept through the first three rounds to reach the last eight.
Here he went down 2/1 in a close encounter. Gary Collins carded a 76 in the first round qualifier but, with the second round called off because of bad weather, he failed to qualify.
Men’s open week begins on Friday with the following fixtures: Friday, August 3, mixed foursomes (sponsors: Barker’s of Wexford); Saturday, August 4, fourball (sponsors: Pettitt’s SuperValu); Sunday, August 5, singles (sponsors: Trinity Mazda); Monday, August 6, fourball (sponsors: Wright Insurance); Tuesday, August 7, team of three (sponsor: a member); Wednesday, August 8, singles (sponsors: Kelly’s Resort Hotel); Thursday, August 9, fourball (sponsors: Roche Freight); Friday, August 10, fourball, any combination (sponsors: Lexus, Blackrock); Saturday, August 11, singles (sponsors: Carpet Gallery); Sunday, August 12, fourball (sponsors: Donohoe Skoda).
Saturday, July 21, fourball: 1, Jim Conway, John McNicholas, 46 points; 2, Paul Murphy, Seán Benton Jnr., 44 points; 3, Tom Connon, Declan Curran, 44 points; 4, Brian Fives, Mark Fives, 44 points.
ROSSLARE LADIES
Open fourball (invitational), sponsored by Brian Hogan Pharmacy, July 17: 1, Patricia McDonnell (Castletroy), Olive O’Callaghan (Ballyneety), 46 points; 2, Carol O’Brien, Angela Sheehan (Druids Heath), 45 points; 3, Vandra Deacon, Geraldine Coghlan (Kilmashogue), 44 points; 4, Catherine Haugh, Una Seaver (Wexford), 43 points.
Burrow course, nine-hole, July 17: 1, Mary Nevins (18), 23 points; 2, Maura Foran (12), 21 points; 3, Mary Fowler (16), 21 points.
Lady Captain’s prize, July 10 and 14: 1, Pauline Cafferkey, 75 + 70 = 145; 2, Mary O’Shaughnessy, 72 + 73 = 145; 3, Eileen Brosnan, 75 + 74 = 149; 4, Patricia Kennedy, 75 + 74 = 149; 5, Sheila Doyle, 74 + 75 = 149; 6, Nina May Brady, 77 + 73 = 150.
July 24, 18-hole single stableford, sponsored by Rosslare Pharmacy: 1, Fiona Murphy (34), 44 points; 2, Carmel Quinn (28), 43 points; 3, Jane O’Shea (16), 43 points; 4, Deirdre Delaney (30), 43 points; gross, Cathy Bryce, 30 points; Senior, Carmel Morrissey (26), 42 points.
Ladies’ open week is here, and today’s fourball competition is sponsored by Joyce’s Expert.
Green fees for the ladies’ week include competition entry: visitors/Juniors, €35/€18; members/Juniors, €8/€5.
Wednesday, August 1, stableford singles sponsored by Murphy’s SuperValu, Rosslare Harbour.
Thursday, August 2, stableford, two scores to count on each hole, sponsored by Club House Caterers.
Friday, August 3, mixed Scotch foursomes sponsored by Barker’s of Wexford.
Hard luck to our wonderful Junior Cup team, their passionate managers and caddies, and enthusiastic pink brigade of supporters, on their very narrow defeat by Enniscorthy in Wexford on Sunday. Beautiful golfers all, you make your club proud.
WEXFORD
Tuesday, July 24, Seniors’ team scramble: 1, Marty Robinson, Phil Roche, John Shorten and Peter Firman, 40.9; 2, John O’Brien, Ger Cashman and Des Croke, 41.5; 3, Tom McCafferty, Pat Dundon, Tim McGrath and Pat O’Riordan, 43.9.
Tuesday evening twelve-hole semi-open mixed: 1, Kieran Purcell and Ena O’Donoghue (17.7), 42.3; 2, John Pitt and Mary Rice (13.3), 43.7; 3, Larry and Kathleen Murphy (16.7), 44.3. There is no mixed next Tuesday evening due to open week.
Wednesday, July 25, 18-hole ladies’ and gents’ open: 1, Kathleen Murphy (34), 40 points (back nine); 2, Tom O’Sullivan (20), 40 points; 3, Adrian Dunne (13), 39 points; vets., Tommy Byrne (19), 34 points.
Friday three-person 14-hole team event: 1, Nigel Byrne (15), Ian Murphy (18) and Bobby Cummings (21), 76 points.
Friday evening nine-hole: 1, Jonathan Murphy (12), 19 points.
Saturday fourball: 1, Joe Cashe (8) and Tommy Morrissey (10), 46 points; 2, Pat Daly (14) and Colin Edwards (8), 45 points; 3, Mark O’Leary (16) and Roy Sexton (7), 44 points (back nine).
Sunday, The Talbot monthly medal open: 1, Liam Morris (13), 67; Cat, 1-10, David O’Sullivan (8), 70; Cat. 10-18, Alan Lawlor (12), 69; Cat. 19+, Emmanuel Quigley (19), 71.
The final of the golfer of the year sponsored by Pettitt’s between Ollie Dempsey Jnr. and Peter Corish will be played during the week as it had to be re-fixed due to Ollie’s participation in the Pierce Purcell Leinster final.
Our Youths (Under-18) team - Rhian Clarke, Cillian Corkery, Niall Griffin, Ben McAleese, Ryan Cashin and Aaron Hillis - were beaten by Highfield in the Fred Daly Plate Leinster final at Esker Hills. This team did themselves and Wexford G.C. proud to get so far, and the experience that they gained this year will surely stand to them in the future.
Our Pierce Purcell team played their Leinster semi-final in Carlow on Saturday and won, and thereby qualified for the final against Newbridge on Sunday.
President John Quigley and Ollie Dempsey Jnr. won 3&1, and Pat Mahon and Jason Kehoe were called in on the 18th as the other three matches had been lost. Result: Wexford 1.5, Newbridge 3.5.
The rest of the team comprised Ted Hynes and Richie Browne, Mick Fortune and Seán Hurley, and Michael Rossiter and Larry Gainfort. Well done to all, it was a great achievement to get so far.
The jackpot was not won last weekend, and the winner of the €50 Joker was our club President, John Quigley. The jackpot will be €1,330 next week.
Congratulations to Ian Lynch of Rosslare Golf Club on his great win in the North of Ireland amateur open recently.
WEXFORD LADIES
On Sunday, July 22, 75 ladies took to the fairways for lady Captain Patricia Hanton’s day in an 18-hole Strokes (medal) competition.
After a fantastic day’s play on the dry and humid fairways of Wexford Golf Club, the ladies sat down to a meal prepared by chef Emmet from the Ginger Bistro.
Following the meal and speeches, the main business of the day - the prize-giving - commenced. Lady Captain Patricia provided over 20 top-class prizes this year and added a few new alternative prizes to the competition.
The big winner was Mary B. O’Leary with a great score of 69. Mary had played early in the morning but her low score held for the day.
Results: 1, Mary B. O’Leary (26), 69; 2, Carmel Murphy (8), 71; 3, Geraldine Draper (23), 72; gross, Aisling O’Leary (2), 77; 4, Margaret Atkinson (10), 73 (back nine); 5, Rachel O’Connor (7), 73 (back nine); Cat. A, Maisie Purcell (15), 74 (back nine); Cat. B, Una Robinson (19), 73 (back nine); Cat. C, Ursula Carey (30), 73 (back nine); Cat. D (37+), Mary Rackard (37), 76; Senior prize, Delia Brosnan (36), 73; super Senior, lady President Róisín Leahy (33), 78; front nine, Mary Walsh (23), 29.5; back nine, Mary Rice (21), 34.5; nine-hole, Michelle Winters-O’Carroll (17), 20 points; past Captain’s prize, Osnat Manning (21), 73; committee prize winner, Louise Boshoff (15), 74; nearest the pin, Louise Boshoff, 36 cms.
Most accurate drive on the tenth hole went to Marie Brady who was on the line!
The lady Captain added a special prize this year for the best score returned by a granny, and the winner was Denise Dunne (21) with 75. I’m sure Denise will enjoy teaching Rian the rules when he’s ready for the fairways.
We also had a fantastic turn-out for the gents’ nine-hole competition, played early on Sunday morning, and the three leading men were: 1, Tom Sullivan (10), 24; 2, Larry Forristal (10), 23 (back three); 3, Liam Cunningham (7), 23.
On Thursday, July 26, 69 ladies took part in a three-person team event (pink ball) sponsored by Wright Insurances.
Results: 1, Geraldine Broaders (20), Mary Cashe (20), Caroline Creane (33), 85 points; 2, Anna Sullivan (20), Eileen Kent (22), Patricia Flanagan (30), 80 points (back nine); 3, Carmel Murphy (8), Margaret Atkinson (10), Richella MacCarvill (13), 80 points; nine-hole competition, Angela Kelly (17), 20 points; nearest the pin, Theresa Kehoe, 2m 60 cm.
Congratulations to all the prize-winners.
The annual club scramble, this year sponsored by Wexford Bus, will take place on Sunday, August 19. The timesheet will be available in the ladies’ locker room from Thursday, August 2, to Thursday, August 9. It will then be open (online) for the gents from Saturday, August 11.
A reminder that Wexford Golf Club will hold the Mid Leinster championships on August 16, 17 and 18. Booking online on Golfnet.ie. Senior section, handicap 0-12; Junior section, handicap 13-30.
The I.L.G.U. have advised that no buggies will be allowed on the course over the three days (even with a medical cert.). We hope to have a good representation of Wexford members playing in this event.
Competitions for open week include: Thursday, August 2, open ladies’ singles stableford sponsored by Hassett’s Chemist; Saturday, August 4, open ladies’ and gents’ singles; Monday, August 6, open four-person team event; Thursday, August 9, open ladies’ invitational fourball sponsored by Barker’s, Main Street, Wexford.
Best of luck to Eileen Kent, Maggie Hearne and Rita Morgan who play in the Valerie Doyle qualifier in Carlow Golf Club on Wednesday, August 1. Keep up the good golf!
NEWROSS
Meals on Wheels: 1, John O’Leary, 39 points; 2, Paul Brennan, 38 points; 3, Ian Duggan, 38 points.
Tuesday fourball sponsored by John Hartley Financial Pensions and Investments: 1, John Murphy (12) and Aiden Somers (Borris, 18), 39 points; 2, Eddie Morrissey (17) and Colin Morrissey (15), 38 points; 3, Pat McGrath (18) and Johnny Kinsella (18), 37 points (last six).
Junior Scratch sponsored by Heffernan’s Insurance: 1, Seamus McGuinness, 76; 2, Tommy Liston, 77; 3, Jim Larkin, 78; first nett, Danny O’Leary (8), 71.
Intermediate Scratch sponsored by Heffernan’s Insurance: 1, Owen Conway, 77; 2, Ray Kent (Mountain View), 79; 3, Martin Carroll, 80; first nett, Michael Redmond (Enniscorthy, 20), 65.
July singles sponsored by Brooks Jewellers, New Ross: 1, Tom Purcell (20), 40 points; 2, Junior Cashin (7), 39 points; 3, Noel Kendrick (14), 38 points; gross, Michael Ryan, 36 points; Cat. 1, Eamon Dungan (6), 37 points; Cat. 2, Declan Doyle (14), 36 points (last nine); Cat. 3, Michael J. Ryan (23), 37 points (last nine).
NEW ROSS LADIES
Wednesday’s competition, an 18-hole stableford plus Senior, was sponsored by Mannion’s Pub and Restaurant.
Results: 1, Sheila Wade (30), 44 points; 2, Pat Purcell (19), 43 points; 3, Agnes Whelan (31), 42 points (last three); Senior, Breda McManus (22), 40 points.
Our men’s President’s prize to the ladies has been brought forward to Wednesday, August 1, due to the Boyne team quarter-finals.
Presentations for the Mannion’s, Joyce’s and the nine-hole competitions will take place on Wednesday, August 1, at 8.30 p.m. All prize-winners, representatives and club members are asked to attend in appreciation of our sponsors.
Hard luck to the Junior foursomes team, managed by Tess Ryan, who put up a great performance against Courtown in the semi-finals in Enniscorthy. Thank you to Tess and her team who gave up their time to represent our club, and to the members who travelled to support them. You did us proud ladies.
PAULINE’S SOCIETY
Williamstown golf course was the venue for our most recent outing. With greens to be proud of, and racing fast fairways, scoring was expected to be low, but to our surprise the first three home managed to break the 40 points mark.
They were led by Colin Fenlon in first place and, separated by a countback, David Feeney took second spot. And just a point behind in third was Gerry Foley who also took home the only nearest the pin prize.
Our next outing will take place in Carrick-on-Suir golf course on Saturday, August 11, with a tee-off time of 9.30 a.m. Members and visitors are once again asked to place their names on the sheet in Pauline’s Bar by 8 p.m. on Wednesday, August 8.
Please note that players should arrive not later than 9 a.m. at the course to facilitate the starting time. A reminder to members that subscription for this year is now due, and can be tendered to the Treasurer on the day.
BUNCLODY
Ladies’ 18-hole competition, July 22 to 24: 1, Ann Steemers (24), 40 points; 2, Louise Galligan (24), 36 points; 3, Marita Byrne (16), 34 points.
Open scramble, July 24 and 25: 1, Simon Black (2), Gavin Sinnott (3), Ger Tobin (8), Eddie Black (10), 54.7; 2, Eoin Reilly (6), Stephen Reilly (10), Andrew Bonham (3), Eoghan Fennelly (5), Abbeyleix, 55.6; 3, Kevin Murphy (7), John Ffrench (11), John Fenlon (7), Paul Hynes (9), Wexford, 56.6.
BALLYMONEY
Matchplay round three: Ken McGauran beat Arthur Ring; Eugene O’Brien Snr. beat Richard McDonald; Mitch Rawcliffe beat Richard Barlow; Ron Breen beat Karl Chapple.
The quarter-finals must be played by August 6. Ladies’ nine-hole competition, Wednesday, July 25: 1, Fiona Williams (44, Castle), 19 points; 2, Veronica O’Riordan (35), 18 points; 3, Carole Wortmann (20), 18 points.
Gents’ nine-hole competition medal (strokeplay from back tees): gold, Eugene O’Brien Jnr. (13), 38 strokes, nett 32; silver, Mark Miskella (7), 35 strokes, nett 32; bronze, Jason Doolan (21), 43 strokes, nett 33.
Mixed v. par singles, July 28-29 (heavy rain Saturday night meant no play until 9.45 a.m. on Sunday): 1, Charlie Logan (13), six up; 2, John Fitzgerald (21), four up; 3, Paddy McNulty (12); front nine, Gavin Duffy; back nine, Diarmuid Spencer.
DONOHOE’S SOCIETY
Donohoe’s Society played Rathaspeck Manor last week with only 13 players taking part due to holidays etc.
Results: 1, John Sullivan, 53 nett; 2, Andrew Holden, 58 nett; 3, Cha O’Brien, 59 nett. Cha also took home the birdie money.
We played Wexford Golf Club on Saturday, July 28, with a strokeplay competition taking place.
Results: 1, Cha O’Brien, 77 nett; 2, Nicky Cahill, 78 nett; 3, Cliff Weeber, 80 nett. Cliff also won the longest drive and Martin Collins won nearest the pin. There were no birdie winners.
Next Sunday we play Quinnagh House with the yellow ball competition taking place. Please be there by 8.45 a.m.
ENNISCORTHY LADIES
The ladies’ competition on Tuesday was another major, sponsored by Captain Tim Morrissey.
Conditions again were fantastic for this stroke medal competition, giving the ladies every opportunity to bring in great scores, which they did in abundance.
Results: 1, Louise Roe (32), 65 nett; 2, Colette Dobbs (29), 66 nett; gross, Ciara Sharkey (4), 70; 3, Breda Coffey (38), 67 nett; 4, Kit Byrne (32), 68 nett (back three); 5, Hilary Kehoe (32), 68 nett; 6, Julie McCarthy (18), 70 nett (back six); 7, Helene Daly (24), 70 nett; front nine, Teresa Bailey (18), 33 nett; back nine, Joan Kavanagh (38), 33 nett; nine-hole qualifier: 1, Margaret O’Connor, 20 points; 2, Maeve Brew, 17 points.
In addition to the amazing scores of the day, history was made with the ladies’ course record being broken by Ciara Sharkey with an amazing score of 70 gross. Ciara is a long-standing member of Enniscorthy Golf Club since 2001 when she joined at the age of eleven.
She showed outstanding talent from the beginning and went on to represent the club at provncial and national level, representing Leinster three times and representing Ireland in Scotland and Germany.
She has also played on many teams in the club through the years. Tuesday saw Ciara’s dreams come true by breaking the ladies’ course record, and her score will go up beside her partner, Graham Donohoe, who holds the men’s course record. Congratulations to Ciara on her fantastic achievement.
Next week’s ladies’ competition is sponsored by Cois na hAobhainn and is a singles stableford.
The Junior Cup team played Rosslare in Wexford on Sunday and came away with a victory after a nail-biting finish.
COURTOWN
There has certainly been a change in course conditions over the last few days when we had some very welcome rainfall which has helped to put a bit of colour back into the fairways and, though I do not wish to spoil anybody’s holiday mood, we could do with a little more.
According to the experts, a little more could soon be on the way and it is badly needed. Regardless of course conditions, the timesheets are as busy as ever and we expect to be particularly busy with the bank holiday weekend upon us.
We are delighted to announce the appointment of our new manager, Mark Ruddy. Mark comes from a background as a P.G.A. professional who has now turned to golf management. Mark will be joining our team in Courtown on August 13.
Congratulations to team manager Laura Funge and her ladies’ Junior foursomes team who have secured a place in the Midland District final which will be played on September 1. Good luck to Laura and all involved.
Competitions for this weekend are as follows: Saturday, invitation gents’ fourball sponsored by Heiton Buckley; Sunday, invitation two-person team event; Monday, invitation four-person scramble.
Sunday, July 15, any combination fourball: 1, Vinny Kavanagh, Denise Kavanagh, 45 points; 2, Steven Doyle, Ian Campbell, 43 points; 3, Jimmy Woods, Jim French, 41 points.
Gents’ open singles, Gorey Guardian summer series, Wednesday, July 18: 1, Ross Steedman (1), 39 points; 2, Joe Gaynor (Lisheen Springs, 6), 38 points (last nine); 3, Seán O’Gorman (13), 38 points; 4, Declan Costello (16), 37 points.
Saturday, July 21, ladies’ and gents’ singles, sponsored by Jim French: 1, Joe Kavanagh (30), 42 points; 2, Paddy Donohoe (6), 38 points (last nine); 3, Paddy Stamp (20), 38 points; gross, Ross Steedman (1), 35 points; ladies: 1, Marion Siggins (26), 35 points; 2, Clare Daly (21), 34 points (last nine); 3, Sarah Donnellan (7), 34 points.
Sunday, July 22, gents’ fourball and ladies’ singles, sponsored by Dominic Smith: 1, Pat Kenny, Des Roche, 42 points (last nine); 2, Patsy Kavanagh, Larry O’Brien, 42 points; 3, Pat Noonan, Mick Morrissey, 41 points; ladies, Eileen Moriarty, 35 points.
Gents’ open singles, Gorey Guardian summer series, Wednesday, July 25 (163 played; C.S.S. 74, 33 points): 1, Mick Morrissey (5), 37 points; 2, Colin Sunderland (6), 36 points (last nine); 3, Andy Hickey (7), 36 points; 4, Michael Carty (15), 35 points.
COURTOWN LADIES
Tuesday and Saturday, July 24 and 28, brought the biggest major of the year - lady Captain’s prize.
Lady Captain Catherine Quinn set out a fabulous prize table. The oohs and aahs could be heard all day as the ladies arrived to see what they were playing for.
Catherine manned the first tee on Tuesday from 8 a.m. until the last of the competitors went off after 5 p.m. It was a brilliant day for golf with a little breeze to keep everybody cool. The course was in terrific condition and the set-up was not overly difficult.
Following the golf on day one, there was a buffet for all the ladies in the clubhouse and the seeded 15 players with the best scores of the day were announced. These 15 went out in order on day two.
Saturday arrived with a different slant. The weather gods gave us that much-needed rain but they could have waited until the competition was finished.
Nevertheless, our brave ladies set forth to complete the 36 holes and were met with a great reception as they arrived to play the 18th.
Scores were added, handicaps on cards and signatures were all re-checked, before the winner was announced.
Brigid O’Brien, who was a member of the Get Into Golf programme of a few years previous, emerged with the winning score. Well done Brigid.
Lady Captain Catherine, along with her family and friends, attended a dinner in the clubhouse followed by the presentation. A huge number of members and friends turned out for prize-giving on Saturday evening.
Music and craic carried on into the small hours. A great night was had by all. Thank you to all who played in the competition. Congratulations to all the winners.
Lady Captain’s prize (Catherine Quinn), C.S.S. - day one, 72; day two, 73; 120 played: 1, Brigid O’Brien (35), 146 nett; 2, Sarah Donnellan (7), 148 nett; gross, Katie O’Hart (5), 158; 3, Pauline Murphy (33), 148 nett (countback); 4, Colette Dobey (35), 149 nett; 5, Mary Kilbride (23), 150 nett; 6, Eileen O’Brien (20), 150 nett (countback); 7, Pat White (24), 151 nett; past Captain’s prize, Eileen Cullen (19), 155 nett; 8, Jill Forsyth (31), 151 nett; 9, Mary O’Connor (36), 151 nett (countback); 10, Jacqueline Hamilton (32), 152 nett; day one: 1, Catherine Lawlor (37), 72 nett; 2, Therese Steadman (27), 72 nett (countback); day two: 1, Sorcha Howell (3), 74 nett; 2, Mary Osborne (20), 75 nett; Quinn Cup, Phil Clancy (36), 78 nett; veteran, Ann Morgan (28), 153 nett; Junior, Hannah Morrissey (27), 35 points; nearest the pin (18th), Dervila Keane; longest drive (11th), Katie O’Hart; nine-hole: 1, Susanne Hall (25), 17 points; 2, Deirdre Baneham (36), 17 points (countback); men’s nine-hole: 1, Paddy Donohoe (5), 20 points; 2, Kevin Ferguson (24), 19 points; 3, Denis Howell (23), 18 points.